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Tuesday, 24 November 2015

Lord Howe Island - looking south

As you may have noticed I have not been out and about in blogland very much over the last couple of weeks. This was due to me being on a small island - smaller than many farms I think - in the Pacific Ocean off the east coast of Australia.

Lord Howe Island is an old volcanic island, formed by a 'hot spot' of volcanic activity in much the same way as Hawaii was formed. It's about two and a bit hours by plane from Sydney - and may well be the most 'middle of nowhere' place I have ever been. It also happens to be one of the most remarkable places I have ever been. There will be a reasonable (read 'large') number of Lord Howe Island posts on this blog in the next few weeks!

This is a bit of a map to show you where it is.

The south end of the island is dominated by two large mountains - Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower - with Mount Gower being the highest at 875 m. Thats only about 100 m lower than the highest point in England, and given that Mt. Gower starts at sea level its a decent days walk! (More on that to follow)

View to Mt. Gower across the lagoon

First evening on Lord Howe - cloud over both Mountains

Morning over Mt. Lidgbird (LHS) and Mt. Gower (RHS)

View of Mountains from Settlement Beach

View of Mountains from Malabar Hill

The pair of mountains are tall enough to form their own weather - and lenses of cloud can often been seen sitting on the tops of the peaks.

A truly best kept secret, as it should be. Oh, wow, a heritage island that is relatively untouched and pristine. The peace and quiet there must be heavenly. I can just imagine how many thousands of pictures you took. :)

Ahhhhhh....and here they come. The wait has been worth it! More please!!!!!! :)

I bet you had a wonderful time on Lord Howe. A past Miss Australia, Rosemary Fenton (Miss Australia 1960) came from there. She was born on the island and raised there. She later married Ian Sinclair, the one-time Leader of the National Party and also at one time Speaker of the House of Representatives. Rosemary Fenton was a beautiful-looking young woman. I met her in 1963 when she visited Gympie and when I, along with a couple of friends of mine entered the contest. She was quite a lovely girl, too...not just in her looks.

I look forward to seeing more of your wonderful photos of the island and its surrounds. Thanks. :)

Love the pictures, especially the last one. As we Yanks would say, " it's the icing on the cake". Looking forward to seeing what you were doing there and the wildlife you captured. With your camera, of course.